WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods surged in January, hinting at a rebound in business spending on equipment in the first quarter. Non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft, a closely watched proxy for business spending plans, increased 0.8% after a downwardly revised 0.2% advance in December, the Commerce Department's Census Bureau said on Thursday. Economists polled...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Recent surveys showing a rise in consumer inflation expectations mean the U.S. central bank needs to keep its focus on ensuring price pressures are fully contained, Kansas City Federal Reserve President Jeff Schmid said on Thursday, highlighting a growing and potentially troubling issue for policymakers. The last two months have seen a sharp upward movement in some...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits increased more than expected last week, but that likely does not signal a material shift in labor market conditions. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits jumped 22,000 to a seasonally adjusted 242,000 for the week ended February 22, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Recent surveys showing a rise in consumer inflation expectations mean the U.S. central bank needs to keep its focus on ensuring price pressures are fully contained, Kansas City Federal Reserve President Jeff Schmid said on Thursday, highlighting a growing and potentially troubling issue for policymakers. The last two months have seen a sharp upward movement in some...